NEWS - NAMIBIA
| 2013-07-22RDP claims police harassment
Tileni Mongudhi
THE Rally for Democracy and Progress has accused the Wanaheda police of being partisan and abusing its powers.
In a statement, RDP information secretary Jeremiah Nambinga accused the Wanaheda police of acting outside of the law when the police allegedly attempted to stop a RDP district conference last Sunday.
The party’s Moses Garoeb district convened a district conference to elect new leaders in a community hall they had booked.
“Although it is not a requirement to inform the Namibian police whenever indoor meetings are held, as a peace loving and law abiding political party, our people informed the Namibian police through Inspector Tjitekulu that they would be having a district conference in the said hall,” Nambinga said, adding that a few minutes after they started their meeting, some Swapo party members arrived and started provoking RDP members. In response to the provocations, the conference informed police who responded speedily.
“The police told our people that they would observe the situation until the district conference was over,” he said adding that the police changed its tune two hours later when Wanaheda Station Commander Chief Inspector Josia Shikongo arrived. Nambinga said that Shikongo told the meeting that it was illegal as the party allegedly failed to inform the police of their gathering.
“The RDP would like to inform Chief Inspector Shikongo that there is no law in this country which requires people to inform the Namibian police when having indoor meetings,” reading Nambinga’s statement which added that the only law the party was aware of is the one of notifying the police regarding public meetings. Adding that the party extended this courtesy to the police in case they are provoked, as often happens, the police would be in the know.
“As a station commander, he must be impartial and stop practicing partisan policing,” Namibinga said adding that the party is calling on Inspector General of the Namibian police to call Shikongo to order as well as to make sure that he appoints police officers who are acquainted with the law.
Shikongo refused to comment on the matter refering questions to Khomas Police Regional Commander, Commissioner Festus Shilongo.
Shilongo said police acted to preserve public safety, adding that another political party was also hosting an event in the vicinity and things were becoming tense. “I was told the environment was not safe because their rivals had a gathering nearby,” Shilongo said.
He added that his officials did not instruct the RDP to stop their event but “requested both gatherings to postpone their events”. According to Shilongo both parties agreed to the police’s request.
“We do not want to lose lives, or properties to be damaged,” he said adding that the police’s aim was to ensure the safety of all. Also said that they request parties to inform the police of their gatherings so that the police for the police to protect them.
In a statement, RDP information secretary Jeremiah Nambinga accused the Wanaheda police of acting outside of the law when the police allegedly attempted to stop a RDP district conference last Sunday.
The party’s Moses Garoeb district convened a district conference to elect new leaders in a community hall they had booked.
“Although it is not a requirement to inform the Namibian police whenever indoor meetings are held, as a peace loving and law abiding political party, our people informed the Namibian police through Inspector Tjitekulu that they would be having a district conference in the said hall,” Nambinga said, adding that a few minutes after they started their meeting, some Swapo party members arrived and started provoking RDP members. In response to the provocations, the conference informed police who responded speedily.
“The police told our people that they would observe the situation until the district conference was over,” he said adding that the police changed its tune two hours later when Wanaheda Station Commander Chief Inspector Josia Shikongo arrived. Nambinga said that Shikongo told the meeting that it was illegal as the party allegedly failed to inform the police of their gathering.
“The RDP would like to inform Chief Inspector Shikongo that there is no law in this country which requires people to inform the Namibian police when having indoor meetings,” reading Nambinga’s statement which added that the only law the party was aware of is the one of notifying the police regarding public meetings. Adding that the party extended this courtesy to the police in case they are provoked, as often happens, the police would be in the know.
“As a station commander, he must be impartial and stop practicing partisan policing,” Namibinga said adding that the party is calling on Inspector General of the Namibian police to call Shikongo to order as well as to make sure that he appoints police officers who are acquainted with the law.
Shikongo refused to comment on the matter refering questions to Khomas Police Regional Commander, Commissioner Festus Shilongo.
Shilongo said police acted to preserve public safety, adding that another political party was also hosting an event in the vicinity and things were becoming tense. “I was told the environment was not safe because their rivals had a gathering nearby,” Shilongo said.
He added that his officials did not instruct the RDP to stop their event but “requested both gatherings to postpone their events”. According to Shilongo both parties agreed to the police’s request.
“We do not want to lose lives, or properties to be damaged,” he said adding that the police’s aim was to ensure the safety of all. Also said that they request parties to inform the police of their gatherings so that the police for the police to protect them.
